Residents split on gun reform prompted by Newtown attack

Friday

Dec 13, 2013 at 6:51 PMDec 13, 2013 at 6:51 PM

By John Barryjbarry@norwichbulletin.com(860) 334-2501

On April 4, less than four months after the Dec. 14, 2012, shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, the Legislature passed, and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed, a major reform of the state’s gun control laws.

The new law expanded the state’s previous ban on the sale of assault weapons, bans the sale of high-capacity magazines and requires additional background checks for residents buying guns and ammunition.

President Barack Obama, who failed in an effort to get federal gun control reform in the wake of the shooting, hailed Connecticut as leading the way for the nation on the issue.

At the same time, Connecticut gun rights groups filed lawsuits seeking to have the law overturned.

“I still think, to this day, it was extreme overreach,” said Scott Wilson, of Groton, president of Connecticut Citizens Defense League. He said his group, which advocates for the right to bear arms, initiated the lawsuit and has been the chief fundraiser to help pay legal expenses for it.

The law puts “an increased focus on responsible gun ownership,” Mike Lawlor, the governor’s liaison on criminal justice policy, said this week. “I think over time, you’re going to see the number of shootings, whether accidental, suicides or homicides, go down.”

“The law has affected us in a big, negative way,” Phil Pavone, owner of A-Z Pawn in Norwich, said. His shop is licensed to buy and sell guns.

Because the law forbids the sale of magazines holding more than 10 rounds, gun models designed with magazines holding 12 to 15 rounds have to be sold without them, Pavone said.

“This is no way to treat law-abiding citizens,” Wilson said. “Law-abiding folks are going to pay the price, while criminals out there don’t care whether they obey the law.”

One provision of the law Pavone likes is a ban on selling guns legally anywhere except through federally licensed gun dealers. In the past, gun owners could sell privately to each other without requiring any records or background checks. Now all transactions must go through a licensed dealer, which lets background checks be done.

Still, Pavone doubted the extra restrictions do much good. “In my opinion, the laws are not going to stop anything,” he said.

“It worked better than we hoped for, actually,” Lawlor said. “State police have processed new permits without delay.”

“We’re able to implement the statute as required,” state police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance said.

The state police, who are required to perform the necessary background checks, were inundated by an avalanche of pistol permit applications after the Newtown shooting. Through the winter and spring, applicants faced a backlog of several months.

But by summer, the state police were able to clear the backlog. Vance said they also have handled a new provision of the law requiring ammunition buyers to have permits. That regulation went into effect Oct. 1

“We’ve been able to achieve that without much difficulty,” Vance said.

Two more of the law’s key provisions kick in on Jan. 1.

Owners of guns classified as assault weapons must register them before that deadline. They must submit an application for an assault weapon certificate by Dec. 31 along with proof that they bought the weapon before the law took effect April 4.

Owners of magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds face the same Dec. 31 deadline. They too must submit an application form, along with proof they owned the magazine before the law took effect.

Note, even though the law allows people to keep their already-owned large-capacity magazines if they register them, it forbids loading them with more than 10 rounds at a time except in their homes or at a shooting range.

According to Wilson, “potentially many people can become felons as of Jan. 1,” because they’re unaware they own guns that the new law classifies as assault weapons and need to register them.

Lawlor said he didn’t believe the claim.

“I can’t imagine there’s a single assault weapon owner unaware” of the deadline, he said.

The state’s former assault weapon ban forbade weapons that had two military-style features, such as a folding stock, separate magazine or socket to install a bayonet. The new law bans weapons that have a single such feature, as well as dozens of specific models.

Many guns labeled assault rifles by the law were bought years ago as hunting rifles, Wilson said.

Vance said the state police website, ct.gov/despp, has all the information gun owners need about the provisions of the new law, as well as permit application forms. Residents also can call the State Police Special Licensing and Firearms Unit at (860) 685-8290 if they would like information, he said.

“We’re more than happy to answer any questions,” Vance said.

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